Five Fingers of Death

Five Fingers of Death        aka: Tian xia di yi quan (Original Honk Kong), King Boxer (English title-H.K.)

Starring: Lieh Lo, Ping Wang, Bolo Yeung
Producer: Run Run Shaw
Choreography: Chuan Chen, Chia Yung Liu
Director: Chang-Hwa Jeong

    Two martial arts schools are preparing for an important tournament, but there are ulterior motives from one school.
    The plot line is a little thin, hence the description above.  Since this is an early movie for this genre, I wouldn’t expect a really elaborate story line. Dragon Dynasty (a company re-releasing classic martial arts films) claims this movie is the “first international martial arts sensation.” 
    The martial arts in the film are pretty good and realistic, with the only cable work being done in jumping. There is no fancy spinning in mid-air or leaping from roof to roof like what you might see in a Yuen Woo Ping film. This film includes classical Kung Fu, Aikido, and Iron Body techniques (i.e. Iron Head and Iron Fist).
    Aside from the excellent choreography, the writing is very good and develops nicely. This film has also greatly inspired Quentin Tarantino for the Kill Bill movies.  There are many soundtrack similarities, including the “revenge theme,” which is that high pitched “wee woo wee woo” (for lack of a better explanation [see trailer included]). Another example happens in a scene where one of the character’s eyes are plucked out much like a scene from Kill Bill where Elle Driver experiences the same.
    In the final tournament scene and the training sequences, I could also see a parallel to the original Karate Kid movie. Karate Kid was actually inspired by The Five Fingers of Death.
    I recommend giving this a chance. Go back to the roots, to the Shaw Brothers, who started a global sensation.
Shuriken: 4
Bruises:4

Ip Man

Other titles: Yip Man - Hong Kong (original title), Grandmaster Yip Man (English working title)

Released: 2008 (China) 2010 (US)

Starring: Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Siu-Wong Fan

Fight Choreography: Sammo Hung

Director: Yip Wai-Shun

“The citizens of Fo Shan were prosperous and practiced kung fu as a hobby. Martial arts schools became popular, turning Fo Shan into a province renowned for martial arts.” This is the opening text which appears on the screen of the film Ip Man. This film is a fictional-biopic about Yip Man, the legendary teacher of Bruce Lee. Yip Man was a master at the martial art of Wing Chun. He was also the first person to teach it openly to the general public, this being an actual fact.

In the film Yip’s fighting lifestyle precedes his family life at home. His home is then turned into a Japanese army headquarters and his family ends up homeless for some time. Being desperate for work, Yip ends up working at a coal mine, but before long, many of the other masters who happen to work there recognize who he is and urge him onto a journey.

The film is set in the 1930s to 1940s during the Second Sino-Japanese War, when Japan invaded China. Japanese generals are seeking skilled Kung Fu masters to teach and work with Japanese soldiers for the upcoming war. Yip Man, being a peaceful man, decides to challenge this ideal and stand up for his own people. In one of the best fight scenes of the movie, Yip takes on ten Karate masters simultaneously. It’s always great to see different styles of martial arts combat each other.

Donnie Yen does a superb job portraying Yip Man. His charismatic demeanor conveys the true purpose of Kung Fu: bringing a way to peace, not a way to war.

Don’t let that mislead you. There is always a fight that ensues and the martial arts are exquisite. The impacts, speed, and precision of all the moves are brutal and on point. The cinematography is creative and makes you feel like you’re in the fight. Donnie Yen brings the legend of Yip Man to life in character and as a martial artist.

From what I hear, a sequel is due to this great movie, and I believe it involves a portrayal of the long gone, but never forgotten Bruce Lee. Keep your eyes peeled for that one.

Brutality: 5 out of 5 Bruises

Overall: 4 out of 5 Shuriken

Tai Chi Master

Other titles: "Tai ji: Zhang San Feng" - Hong Kong (original title), "Twin Warriors" - UK, USA (DVD title), "The Tai-Chi Master" - Hong Kong (English title)


Realeased: 1993
Starring: Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh, Chin Siu Ho
Director: Woo-ping Yuen
Fight Choreography: Woo-Ping Yuen, Huan-Chiu Ku, Cheung-Yan Yuen
Jun Bo (Jet Li) and Chin Bo (Chin Siu Ho) are two monks who grow up together at a Shaolin Temple. They have frequent little competitions or matches between each other that often get them into trouble. As they grow older into their teens, they attend a match to see who will be promoted to study "advanced martial arts techniques." When Chin Bo is caught off guard by his opponent who has a concealed weapon, Jun Bo tries to help. They are expelled and have to wander the streets of China, their first time ever outside of the temple. While both former monks try to make a living on their own, they split paths and meet years later on the battlefield, this time from opposing sides. Chin Bo is now a power hungry general of an army, and Jun Bo is now a freedom-fighting rebel.

This film is extremely action-packed, has great choreography, and a little comedy to top it all off. One minute you are laughing, the next you are on the edge of your seat.

The choreography is intricate, as is expected from Woo-Ping Yuen. There is a wide variety of traditional martial arts without too much cable work. But yes, there is still cable work. The martial arts styles featured include: Shaolin Kung Fu, Wushu, Tai Chi, and various weapons used in those styles. A few of the styles/movements are a little fantasized, but Jet Li's precise movements are pleasing to the eye, and Michelle Yeoh's martial arts skill is brought to life in the combat scenes.

Another satisfying feature of this film is the quickly-paced storyline and the countless fight scenes. Even at only twelve minutes into the film, the action blows you away with 20+ monks armed with bo staffs moving in perfect synchronization.

I highly recommend this film to anybody interested in Chinese martial arts, and to all the fans of Jet Li and Woo-Ping Yuen.





Brutality: 4 out of 5 Bruises
Overall: 4 out of 5 Shuriken